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It is indeed an honour for me to take part in what surely must be a joyous occasion for friends and family of Bill Reid,
for the Museum of Anthropology, and for the Haida people.
I am pleased to have, as our guests, so many members of the Haida Nation, who have come from near and far to witness
this tribute to Bill Reid by celebrated Haida artist Jim Hart, who worked alongside Bill Reid and has himself contributed
immeasurably to traditional Northwest Coast art.
The pole is a visible symbol of UBC's dedication to the preservation of First Nations cultures, and its many art forms,
and is the newest addition to a collection that is truly one of the great treasures of our campus. I wish to commend the
Museum of Anthropology for its ongoing efforts towards restoring and enhancing its outdoor sculpture complex, and for almost
a half-century of commitment to showcasing Haida art and its beauty to the world.
On behalf of the University, I wish to thank the Canada Council Millennium Arts Fund for the generous grant that made this
possible, along with the assistance of the Vancouver Foundation, the Kaatza Foundation, the Bill Reid Invitational Concert
Series, as well as the many friends of the MOA who have supported this and many other important projects. Thank you for
inviting me to take part in this momentous ceremony.
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